4 more players...

[I'm the Juggernaut]

we need a good CHF and some more time into our young guns. Perhaps another hard at it midfielder also.
Quite happy with the way the defence is performing and maturing, although we will perhaps need someone to step in once Newman hangs up the boots

 

[pebblestone]

Ok my 2c:

Happy to see Post given a chance to prove his worth as a forward. IMO he has already proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that he is NOT a KPD. With Vickery out there should be a good opportunity for him if he gets it and even then he has to make the most of it. I agree it's rough hoow he's been treated but his recent games have been awful and he deserved to be dropped each time.

Miller can be ok as a leading CHF type but he should never be allowed to take a shot at goal. If Miller marks within range one of the skilled players needs to take a quick handball and take the shot away from Miller. Deledio/Houli/Conca/Ellis?? There is at least 3 to 4 shots on goal per game that are changed from a 25% chance to 70% or better.

I agree that Carlile would be a gppd target under free agency. I just want people to remember though that he is actually shorter than Rance but slightly heavier. Frawley, Jamison, Glass, all almost exactly the same height and weight as Rance. The truth is there are not many defenders of any quality out there that are bigger/heavier than these guys. (Notable exceptions include Merrett, Reid, Lonergan...) My point I guess is that Rance is the right size 194cm, 93kg. I suppose maybe his style of play is more suited to CHB, but that is not what is being discussed. He is a big unit. The only FA I would entertain other than Carlile in this position would be Merrett who is a monster. Would almost certainly not come though, and he's about 28 now anyway.

Connors has kicked 11 goals in the past 3 games at Coburg. Must play because he is exactly the medium forward everyone is looking for. If he gets back in the team, look out - he will not let the coaches down again.

 

[Slattery_20]

I don't see it as clearly as "CHF" and so on but agree with the general premise that things are starting to fall.
A flexible medium forward would help and Jack/Vickery also need to be able to find more of the ball further up, if that's what the game calls for. Thought that went a long way on the w/e - even though neither Hurley/Crameri hit the scoreboard, just in their ability to draw te ball & defense 60-100m from goal.

A defensive minded midfielder is crucial as well IMHO. Don't see Jackson or Tuck there long-term, but they do a job for the present.

 

[cairo tiger]

look every club needs 4 more players. we need the guys that have been in the system for a while (connors etc) to step up and bleed for their opportunity. why this is not happening is staggering to me. put your bloody hand up. astute recruiting is one thing but we need to have the cattle to trade with. we are not going to give up dusty for a chf thats what other clubs will want we dont have that depth. so you guys on the fringe, you guys that want to make a career out of footy step up, your time in now.......

 

[tigs2010]

My 2c

CHF - I think we have the players there. Just need to develop them. Surely out of Griff, Astbury, Elton, Post, Derickx at least 1 will come on. Most likely Griff or Elton. IMO Elton will be very very good.

KPD - We do need a third one and it could possibly be Astbury if he isn't played forward. However, we probably need another as a back-up as this week shows. Chaplin from PA in FA would be a good get as a highly skilled, high-character guy to buy us a couple of years. Looks disinterested at Port after a good start to the year.

Elite mid - Draft is the way to go for this. Trading for elite mids will cost more than a first rounder which in likelihood will be a top 10 pick or close to it unless we get cracking. Fair chance we will get an elite mid. Some of those sides below us are desperate for talls. Toumpas, Vlastuin, O'Rourke, Menzel etc.

Medium Forward - Disagree we need a specialist medium forward. We have Martin, Deledio, Cotchin who can currently rotate through there plus if we get a player this draft who is similar in their ability to rest forward we will be set in that area. If Elton or Griff make it as CHF they are athletic like a medium forward anyway just bigger. Having said that i'd rather a medium forward like O'Hanlon over Miller as our talls are too slow.

One extra ill add in and IMO it is killing us is our small forwards. A speedy, crafty small forward would be amazing. Rarely do we see Riewoldt or Vickery get outmarked down there and the ball is constantly on the deck. Edwards could be one of them, his creativity and contested work are his strengths which are suited to him being a small forward. Can take a mark too. In the draft id be looking at Ben Kennedy or Shannon Taylor with great skills and elite speed. Kennedy can play midfield and rotate with Foley too.

 

[fargothegreat]

Need a 200cm CHB with great agility to also pinch hit Ruck along with Vickery.

Sounds like Griffo to me

 

[Tigerbob]

My 2c

CHF - I think we have the players there. Just need to develop them. Surely out of Griff, Astbury, Elton, Post, Derickx at least 1 will come on. Most likely Griff or Elton. IMO Elton will be very very good.

KPD - We do need a third one and it could possibly be Astbury if he isn't played forward. However, we probably need another as a back-up as this week shows. Chaplin from PA in FA would be a good get as a highly skilled, high-character guy to buy us a couple of years. Looks disinterested at Port after a good start to the year.

Elite mid - Draft is the way to go for this. Trading for elite mids will cost more than a first rounder which in likelihood will be a top 10 pick or close to it unless we get cracking. Fair chance we will get an elite mid. Some of those sides below us are desperate for talls. Toumpas, Vlastuin, O'Rourke, Menzel etc.

Medium Forward - Disagree we need a specialist medium forward. We have Martin, Deledio, Cotchin who can currently rotate through there plus if we get a player this draft who is similar in their ability to rest forward we will be set in that area. If Elton or Griff make it as CHF they are athletic like a medium forward anyway just bigger. Having said that i'd rather a medium forward like O'Hanlon over Miller as our talls are too slow.

One extra ill add in and IMO it is killing us is our small forwards. A speedy, crafty small forward would be amazing. Rarely do we see Riewoldt or Vickery get outmarked down there and the ball is constantly on the deck. Edwards could be one of them, his creativity and contested work are his strengths which are suited to him being a small forward. Can take a mark too. In the draft id be looking at Ben Kennedy or Shannon Taylor with great skills and elite speed. Kennedy can play midfield and rotate with Foley too.

I think this sums it up well. I think with Elton, Griffiths, Astbury, Riewoldt and Vickery we have our tall forward stocks ok already on our list.

We need an experienced Key Defender, can you imagine another tall that will allow Rance to get the second key forward and allow Grimes to play the third, therefore allowing Batchelor to play his style of interceptor. Would be amazing. Carlisle or Chaplin from Port would be great. Chaplin I feel has the skills we want to play from the back. Whether he is good enough is up to Blair Hartley. Maybe a Mitch Brown or someone of that type.

Midfield I totally agree, we hit the draft hard in this regard. Midfield players who can play forward at a pinch would make our midfield stand alone. We have great top shelf talent in the midfield and building that with 3 more would be sensational. Also, maybe getting a Kennedy as he is a midfield/small forward would solve two issues in one go.

Medium forward, well if we can nab one in the draft all well and good, we certainly need another way forward. When Martin gets his fitness to be elite you would want him to spend more time in the middle and less up forward. I have high hopes on O'Hanlon, hopefully he comes in and can adjust to the next level. Is a goal kicker.

Small forward as said before, draft would be able to solve this issue. Shane Edwards impressed me being closer to goal and would like to see him in that role for the rest of the year as he may solve one of our biggest needs.

Still think we need to hit the draft hard, and we have many list cloggers. If we can get that right this off season, we could make massive strides next season.

Also with the noises coming from the club for a couple of years now, I am thinking we have got a relatively big fish in Free Agency.

 

[Infamy]

I think we can stick with the talls we have on the list, allow them to develop and unless an absolute peach drops to one of our picks, we focus on the midfield in this draft.

I believe Grimes & Rance are the foundation of the defence to build around, we just need a taller CHB like a Chaplin or Fletcher who is more of a reader of the play to cut of the incoming ball. Astbury I see as the man for this role, he played it really well in the NAB Cup when he had no-one else to help him plus along with his outstanding first season, he should be the #1 man for the job. In Batchelor, Houli, Ellis, Morris & Dea we have the smalls covered down back also.

Up forward we have Riewoldt as the foundation of the forward line. I don't have the same concerns about Griffiths, he doesn't have a recurring injury in the same part of his body, many of them are just impact related and he hasn't had another shoulder injury since his reco so I find this is more of a beat up than reality. Then we will have Vickery or Elton to rotate through, perhaps long term Vickery will grow into his body to be #1 ruck after Maric retires, but for now he should be a forward pocket like Spida Everitt. I think we should give Post a real shot at cementing a spot up forward also. We definitely need some more small forwards, I'm not sold on Nahas or King and unless A. Maric grows some balls he won't be the one either. Hopefully O'Hanlon will be the leading medium forward, then we can rotate our gun mids through the forward line to rest and that leaves a livewire goal sneak as the last spot, but I wouldn't make this a draft focus just yet, perhaps Edwards can play that role for now and also rotate through the midfield.

So that leaves the midfield, what many would already consider our strength. We have the best young midfield in the game with Deledio, Cotchin & Martin. Foley & Grigg are almost part of that group and hopefully Conca will be also in time. Hopefully Brad Helbig & Matt Arnott can help push out some of the older big bodied guys in the next few years. I don't think this is deep enough though and 3 Top 30 midfielders from a "superdraft" will just be the icing on the cake. Perhaps Ellis will join this group in time, who knows.

What many forget is that the midfield is what can make our forward and defenders look even better. The more defensive pressure in the midfield the less work the defence has to do, or the easier it is to cut off the play. Subsequently the better the midfield delivers the ball into the forward 50 the less work the forwards have to do. Put the ball to their advantage, make them run into that space and they just need to take it far enough in front of the defender and they won't have a chance.

So I have no problem with us needing another 4 players and I'm sure they aren't on the list yet, but where I see that need is purely with the midfield, our young guns need help, our young talls just need time.

 

[folester41]

i agree, those 4 positions are a must, we need to cut mcguane, and most likely moore, hopefully one or more of astbury, griffiths and elton can fill one of the key positions.

with our first two picks this year, we need to target a midfielder and a HFF who can finish.

 

[Phenotype]

KEEP SYLVIA AWAY FROM PUNT ROAD. He is not showing any sign that he is willing to break away from his 'lazy' party boy mentality. All the talent in the world wont make up for the worst work ethic. Imagine if he came to Richmond, did not fix his head and started talking to our young blokes ala Ellis, Grimes etc.

'Hey Brandon, come to Alumbra and party it up with me tomorrow, no one needs to tell
Dimma, what a way to celebrate my new yellow and black guernsey?'

There's a lot of kids who do not need his shit attitude influencing them.

 

[PUNTROADHAMMER]

Does anyone know who is still uncontracted at Punt Rd?

Is it usually 6-8 that are moved on?

Cheers

 

[FootyIcon4]

Does anyone know who is still uncontracted at Punt Rd?

Is it usually 6-8 that are moved on?

Cheers

Foley, Tuck and Moore are up for FA, don't know about rest but IIRC graham is out of the 2yr contract he signed after 2010 season.

The 'specialist' HFF everyone is talking about is not needed. Simply more midfield depth that pushes quality players onto the flanks when they are not on the ball

CHF is not really a need because either a young guy comes on or Vickery plays CHF. our mids can rest forward, takes marks and kick goals.

I really think CHB will go to Griffiths or Astbury, both are monsters with great and good athleticism respectively and Griff hasn't had a soft tissue injury for a while now
*lunges at wooden table*

 

[_RT_]

IMO we have the players talked about already on our list, the problem is they aren't ready to go just yet. Ideally down the track I see us lining up as follows:

B: Morris (185cm 83kg) Rance (194cm 93kg) Grimes (193cm 91kg)

HB: Houli (180cm 84kg) Astbury (195cm 93kg) Batchelor (188cm 86kg)

C: Grigg (190cm 85kg) Martin (187cm 86kg) Conca (185cm 80kg)

HF: Deledio (188cm 88kg) Griffiths (200cm 100kg) Arnot (180cm 87kg)

F: Foley (178cm 81kg) Vickery (200cm 95kg) Riewoldt (195cm 93kg)

R: Maric (200cm 102kg) Cotchin (185cm 84kg) Ellis (181cm 81kg)

INT: Dea (186cm 85kg) O'Hanlon (189cm 87kg) Newman (183cm 83kg) Helbig (185cm 83kg)

Again as I said the side is picked purely from our current list and if we were to play with this lineup I'd back us to win quite a bit more than we lose.

As you can see there are 3 genuine KPPs at each end of the ground. Some might raise an eyebrow at Riewoldt in the pocket, but its merely to name the side. The way I see the forward line working Griffiths Vickery and Jack would be moving all around the F50. Also for those thinking that the set up is too tall, remember that the Eagles play Kennedy Lynch Darling & one of NicNat/Cox up forward, so playing 3 talls for us shouldn't be an issue. As support for them I've started Deledio Arnot & Foley, its based around giving us midsized players who can not only play forward but can also go through the midfield as well.

Down back, I've stuck with Grimes and Rance as 2 of the KPD and added Astbury to the mix, IMO those 3 are our best KPDs and given time could really develop into a quality unit. Around them I've got Morris Batchelor and Houli, the first 2 are the more defensive minded midsized options to shut down the oppositions small/medium forwards. Houli is the rebounding/quarterback defender. Dea and Newman on the bench provide the rotations.

Through the midfield, there is a mixture of class ball use, gut running and sheer attack on the footy. Cotchin & Martin provide grunt as well as class. I can also see Ellis fitting into that catergory as well, seen some things over the last couple of weeks to suggest that is possible. Conca and Grigg are the gut running classy ball users who provide the link between the backline and the F50. As I mentioned above with the midsized forwards all these guys can rotate through the midfield.

Obviously depending on how the list changes at seasons end will change this side but for now I think its a decent starting point.

 

[partycorolla]

IMO we have the players talked about already on our list, the problem is they aren't ready to go just yet. Ideally down the track I see us lining up as follows:

B: Morris (185cm 83kg) Rance (194cm 93kg) Grimes (193cm 91kg)

HB: Houli (180cm 84kg) Astbury (195cm 93kg) Batchelor (188cm 86kg)

C: Grigg (190cm 85kg) Martin (187cm 86kg) Conca (185cm 80kg)

HF: Deledio (188cm 88kg) Griffiths (200cm 100kg) Arnot (180cm 87kg)

F: Foley (178cm 81kg) Vickery (200cm 95kg) Riewoldt (195cm 93kg)

R: Maric (200cm 102kg) Cotchin (185cm 84kg) Ellis (181cm 81kg)

INT: Dea (186cm 85kg) O'Hanlon (189cm 87kg) Newman (183cm 83kg) Helbig (185cm 83kg)

Again as I said the side is picked purely from our current list and if we were to play with this lineup I'd back us to win quite a bit more than we lose.

As you can see there are 3 genuine KPPs at each end of the ground. Some might raise an eyebrow at Riewoldt in the pocket, but its merely to name the side. The way I see the forward line working Griffiths Vickery and Jack would be moving all around the F50. Also for those thinking that the set up is too tall, remember that the Eagles play Kennedy Lynch Darling & one of NicNat/Cox up forward, so playing 3 talls for us shouldn't be an issue. As support for them I've started Deledio Arnot & Foley, its based around giving us midsized players who can not only play forward but can also go through the midfield as well.

Down back, I've stuck with Grimes and Rance as 2 of the KPD and added Astbury to the mix, IMO those 3 are our best KPDs and given time could really develop into a quality unit. Around them I've got Morris Batchelor and Houli, the first 2 are the more defensive minded midsized options to shut down the oppositions small/medium forwards. Houli is the rebounding/quarterback defender. Dea and Newman on the bench provide the rotations.

Through the midfield, there is a mixture of class ball use, gut running and sheer attack on the footy. Cotchin & Martin provide grunt as well as class. I can also see Ellis fitting into that catergory as well, seen some things over the last couple of weeks to suggest that is possible. Conca and Grigg are the gut running classy ball users who provide the link between the backline and the F50. As I mentioned above with the midsized forwards all these guys can rotate through the midfield.

Obviously depending on how the list changes at seasons end will change this side but for now I think its a decent starting point.

I like this idea.... perhaps the side is lacking a quality crumbing forward but so is our list.... It's a pretty good side (a bit of 'potential' required to be delivered on obviously) and you haven't added any draft picks or trades in, while kicking Edwards, Jackson, Nahas and King and Miller out.... to either Coburg, where they would be reasonable depth players or off the list... delisted or traded (fingers crossed). Good work

 

[Madtiger2006]

We quite possibly have all 4 players on the list but this draft coming up will ensure we do plus extra depth to take us that next step. Expect half a dozen changes to the list later this year

 

[_RT_]

I like this idea.... perhaps the side is lacking a quality crumbing forward but so is our list.... It's a pretty good side (a bit of 'potential' required to be delivered on obviously) and you haven't added any draft picks or trades in, while kicking Edwards, Jackson, Nahas and King and Miller out.... to either Coburg, where they would be reasonable depth players or off the list... delisted or traded (fingers crossed). Good work

As I said the side is there for us to be competitive, the problem is that its just not ready to go at the moment. I also agree that the likes of Jackson Edwards and Nahas in particular make decent depth options.

People need to remember that we're still only 2.5 seasons into a rebuild and its going to take a bit of time for draftees to come through and be ready to play at AFL level. Late this year/early next year I fully expect to see a number of those kids to get a crack(if their form warrants). With the addition of some quality kids in the draft/trade/free agency period at seasons end and the list will only get stronger and deeper.

 

[DoItForCaptBlood]

It's a pretty good side (a bit of 'potential' required to be delivered on obviously) and you haven't added any draft picks or trades in, while kicking Edwards, Jackson, Nahas and King and Miller out..

Agree...and spot on with the 'potential required' which is exactly where the OP is coming from. RTs side has 4-5 players that are very much unproven and we have no idea if they will improve/develop into players that are at the level of a top 4 side.

Looking forward to getting another 'solid' player from another team who is an upgrade to one of the delisted players, and of course the 3 early picks in the draft may have 2 ready to go hopefully.

So....
1 trade (Maric level impact)
1 of this years draftees to step up (Ohanlon my smokie or Elton)
1 of Post/Griffith/Astbury to step up
2 2012 draftees

These 5 injected in our current best 22 and take out the 4-5 now we all know aren't the future.


Fingers crossed eh RT....like that side though! (and we need to sign Foley!!)

 

[Blood Meridian]

We're potentially:

1 draft
1 trade
1 free agent

off being a top 8 team.

There may yet be another (unpopular) trade to come not unlike the Andy Collins. A trade that doesn't look so bad at the moment.

 

[Damo80]

Ideally down the track I see us lining up as follows:

B: Morris (185cm 83kg) Rance (194cm 93kg) Grimes (193cm 91kg)

HB: Houli (180cm 84kg) Astbury (195cm 93kg) Batchelor (188cm 86kg)

C: Grigg (190cm 85kg) Martin (187cm 86kg) Conca (185cm 80kg)

HF: Deledio (188cm 88kg) Griffiths (200cm 100kg) Arnot (180cm 87kg)

F: Foley (178cm 81kg) Vickery (200cm 95kg) Riewoldt (195cm 93kg)

R: Maric (200cm 102kg) Cotchin (185cm 84kg) Ellis (181cm 81kg)

INT: Dea (186cm 85kg) O'Hanlon (189cm 87kg) Newman (183cm 83kg) Helbig (185cm 83kg)

Like it

And as you say, it's only the starting point, based on names currently on our list - would be great if Griffiths and Astbury can both start claiming their place and stringing games together before year's end.

Then, forgetting about trades/free agency (too hard to predict those outcomes), I'd be looking to draft a good young ruckman (Grundy, if available) for life after Maric, a really classy small forward, and stock up on quality mids. I know we can't really do all three, but it's where I see the gaps needing to be filled (current, and future).

 

[juss]

Probably only 2.

Decent CHF to put in front of Riewoldt and a decent CHB so Rance can play FB and Grimes can play 3rd tall.

Add that and we play finals this year.

Looking at our list I see Griffiths/Elton/Astbury as guys that can fill those positions in the next few years. If they do, then we will be a force to be reckoned with.

 

[theflea]

does anyone agree alex silvani would look good in our backline? although he is a little short.

 

[likeiknow]

Im sick of people saying we should draft a mid with our first pick, a tall with our second etc. You draft the best player you can get with that pick. This has stuffed as up soo much over the years. Like Fiora over Pav. Pick the best player possible

 

[Slattery_20]

does anyone agree alex silvani would look good in our backline? although he is a little short.

He's not a bad player, quite like him.
And surely no-one could be happy at being pushed out for Zac.

 

[tigs2010]

Im sick of people saying we should draft a mid with our first pick, a tall with our second etc. You draft the best player you can get with that pick. This has stuffed as up soo much over the years. Like Fiora over Pav. Pick the best player possible

Dear Turncoat,

Fiora was best available.

Bye.

 

[likeiknow]

Dear Turncoat,

Fiora was best available.

Bye.

Are you serious Pavilich was the best player their. The only reason which was quoted by a few coachs around the club was that we really wanted to add to our mid field stock. And that turned out great